Psalms 16:8 – “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  NASB. [Read verses 1-11 for the full impact of this truth.]

I love the progression of truth revealed in this Psalm.  It is here that we catch a glimpse of a faith that comes or grows to maturity and is rooted and grounded in God and His Word.  The declaration of verse 8 is nothing short of incredible!  It is with purpose and intent that the Psalmist focuses on God.  It is not a casual reference to a timid superficial belief in a creed or a creator, but a declaration of Total Confidence in God!

David declares that God is the portion of his inheritance and his maintainer.  He declares that God is his counselor and because of his view of God, he has developed a faith that is in full force, alive, and active!  It is a faith that produces life, peace, joy, and hope!  That should be the objective of each believer.

Here in Psalm 16, we hit the high-water mark of religious life in two aspects.  It is revealed in an ardent devotion to God and it holds a clear certainty of eternal blessedness beyond the grave.  That is powerful!  It is Faith in Full Bloom that is being expressed and demonstrated in this Psalm.  There are three facts or factors that I want to briefly call your attention to and hope they are inspirational as well as challenging.

Notice the Effort of Faith expressed in the words, “I have set the LORD always before me…”  This is a personal exercise of faith.  He is making a conscious effort to keep himself continually in touch with the unseen creator of all things.  This is, in my view, the essence of true religion.

His whole soul cleaves to God.  He has developed an intelligent, reasoned, and the reasonable decision that God alone is all that he needs, as expressed in verse 8.  He is making a determined decision to totally surrender all his heart, mind, body, and soul to God, as is expressed in verse 2.  God was always in the forefront of his mind and always before him or he kept himself always before God.  He brought his thoughts into captivity to the obedience of the Creator.  It was not based on feelings or emotion but Truth!

Next, consider the Friend of Faith as described in the words, “He is at my right hand…”  God is the Object of Faith.  This is the result of effort and God honors it by giving his aide, protection, and wisdom.  David expresses that by his effort of Faith, he becomes aware in a new way, of the presence of God at his side.  He discovers God as the Friend of Faith.

The divine presence is the source of his strength and if God is at his ‘right hand’ then the words of Psalm 91 become visible.  We are in the shadow of the one who is protecting us, guiding us, and guarding us.  He is our Protector, Director, and Friend as well as our Savior!

Then, notice the Stability of Faith expressed in the words, “shall not be moved…”  If God is there, close at my side, what can move me?  Notice verse 10’s promise that we will not be abandoned.  Consider verse 11’s promise that God will guide us and reveal to us the pathway of life He has chosen for us. 

The secret of a quiet heart is to keep near God.  In abiding in the shadow of the Almighty we find that no storm can wreck our ship and our anchor will hold in Jesus!  Real communion with God is the guarantee that the man who develops it and receives His grace will never die.  Oh, he will in the natural, but not in the eternal.

Therefore, it is imperative that we seek to keep near to God.  We need to keep Him ever before us and in the forefront of our minds and consciousness.  We need to allow our faith to rise and we will discover that we can stand no matter what comes because of His Presence.  We need to keep God ever before us in our Thought Life, Prayer Life, and Devotional Life.  If God is for us who can be against us and what difference does it make if they are?

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in His Grace!

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”  NASB

Yesterday we discussed the first instruction in ‘reading the directions’ and the benefits of that action.  It was “Seek First The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.”  I suggest that the next revelation in ‘Reading the Directions’ is we Discover How We Are To Fit Into God’s Plans.

Directions are worthless unless read and followed.  It has been a strategy of the enemy of our souls to insist that the Bible is so complicated that only the select of the elect can understand it.  If you cannot understand it, why bother investing your time and energy into reading it?   In Isaiah 35:8 we read, “And a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it.”  God has a plan and has given us a road map to spiritual victory, we err in failing to utilize it.

It is easy to tell someone else how to run their life. The Bible gives directions for all.  I am reminded of a story I heard years ago.  A boy was walking in the woods and saw a man with a gun.  The boy asked the man what he was hunting, and he said bears.  The little boy said, “If I was a big as you, I’d hunt bears with my bare hands.”  The man smiled and said, “Son, there are a lot of little bears out here too!”  God’s word deals with the big and the small in life.  Maybe you cannot kill a big bear, but you can find one your size and handle him if you read the directions.

In life, the small things are not unimportant and cumulatively they have a major impact on both the quality and quantity of life.  If you see an automobile driving down the road you see the exterior and the eye appeal but all of that would be worthless without the internal parts that make it function.  Paul said that even the little parts of the body are important and necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22).

I have met people who, because they are not the lead or have a major role in something, they do nothing.  They want the glory, the recognition, the prestige rather than helping the objective become a reality.

Additionally, reading God’s Directions informs us How We Can Be Spiritually Healthy.  That is not an insignificant blessing and benefit.  A person can eat nothing but healthy nourishing food but if he sits idle and does not move or exercise, he will wither away.  The saying, “Use it or lose it” is a truth that is unavoidable in many areas of life.

The Bible tells us in Psalms 55:17 to take one spoonful of Communion with God before each meal.  If you question that let me quote it, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”  Sounds a lot like what I suggested doesn’t it?  We are to take a tablespoonful at bedtime in Ephesians 4:26-27,” Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.” 

Many people would not dream of going to bed without a shower, a bath, or brushing their teeth but think nothing of going to bed with a soiled conscience and bruised relations.  The Bible teaches us to be cautious because many things are habit-forming.  For example, if you allow yourself to engage in telling little white lies or distorting the truth in a minuscule manner or tasting the morsels of gossip you will find that it becomes easier to expand them and even enjoy them.

When all else fails ‘read the directions.’  In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, the directions warn us to “shun the very appearance of evil.”  The enemy will try to convince us that this or that is not harmful, but the Bible warns in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death…”

A few years ago, many were rocked by the news that a father had put poison in some Halloween candy and gave it to his son.  People asked, “How could a father do such a thing?”  As I lamented over the depth of that depravity in any human being, the thought came to mind, “Millions are doing the same thing spiritually.  There are fathers and mothers who are murdering their children spiritually by listening to and believing the lies of the devil and not guiding their children in a life of godliness.”  The Bible tells us to ‘train the children.’  Train them in the way they should go and when they are advanced in years that will come back to them and help keep them on the right track. 

If your life is in shambles or if you experience overwhelming difficulty in life, let me encourage you to “Go to the Direction Manual and Read it!”  God has Promised to hear all who call and never leave or forsake us. 

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

2 Timothy 2:15-19 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”  NASB

1 Corinthians 8:3b – “…if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”  NASB

Not only does being Known of God afford us His Protection it opens the Door to Heaven’s Resources.  That too, is far more valuable than money!  Without being known of God we would have no access into the throne room of heaven or God’s storehouse.  The storehouse that is full beyond measure is open to us.  He has given us an open requisition, that is beyond our ability to truly comprehend.

We are the sons and daughters of the Most-High God.  We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus.  The Bible informs us that the Blessings of Abraham are ours through faith and through Jesus.  That is far beyond anything money can buy. 

It is imperative that we study God’s Word so that we can ‘rightly handle’ His truth.  In studying the Bible, we discover that the Foundation of God’s Promises, Precepts, and Principles are Absolutely Sure!  Even after centuries of attacks, the error of false teachers, and teaching the Truth of God has not been weakened one iota.  It is Sure!  God knows those who know Him and has promised to Keep Us and as Paul declared in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  How many of our needs?  ALL OF THEM!

For any of this to be truly valuable to us we must:  Know God.  That is step one and a step that cannot be omitted.  We must study the Word of God and search our His promises, instructions, and directives.  Then we must apply those precepts, principles, promises, and truths to our daily activities.  Having a million dollars in the bank and never making a withdrawal could leave a person living like a pauper.  You would be rich but those riches would be of no value because you did not use or access them. 

Being known of God is more valuable than anything this world has to offer.  God’s grace and gifts cannot be earned and are assuredly not deserved.  They are the gift of love!  Tragically, too many times, we live beneath our privilege in God and never enjoy the Abundant Life that Jesus came to give or the Kingdom that Jesus said was our Father’s good pleasure to give us. 

How do we appropriate the Promises and enjoy the Provisions?  By being known of God!  If you have a need, any need God is the Provider! He is Jehovah-Jireh!  If we need protection in any situation, God is our Protector!  He is Jehovah-ROI and Jehovah-Tseboath!

The LORD wants to fight our battles and provide for our needs.  I have learned that when we move past guilt and self-doubt into confidence that God knows us and smiles on us, we move from doubt and fear into faith.  It is my prayer that each of us will rest in His incredible love and enjoy His unimaginable peace.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

2 Timothy 2:15-19 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”  NASB

1 Corinthians 8:3b – “…if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”  NASB

In today’s world, it means something to be known.  It opens doors that otherwise would be closed.  Being known can save tremendous hassle, confusion, and difficulty.  It helps to gain access and acquire privileges and considerations not afforded to others.  It is valuable but it is not money.

If the President knew me personally, I would be able to obtain considerations based on that acknowledgment.  If my earthly father had been a famous person, the consideration and recognition I would receive would be great.  There are times, in life when being known is more important than what you know, your socioeconomic status or experience.  People, in all walks of life, strive to be known by important and influential people.  It is frequently a prize to be desired.

The world craves recognition, but the most important recognition in existence is being Known of God.  Our text informs us that “God knows those that are His.”  That is powerful and afford credentials unattainable through our own abilities or efforts.  There are a number of ways that God knows those that are His.

He knows them by the need they have of Him.  He knows them by the love they have for Him.  He knows them by the trust they place in Him.  He knows them by their labors for His kingdom.  The Bible makes it clear that there is a record of every detail of our lives, so truly “God knows them that are His.”  This speaks of an intimacy with God and being known of God is far more valuable than silver or gold.  It is of infinite worth!

Being Known of God Affords Us God’s Protection.  In Psalm 34:7 we read, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”  You cannot buy that kind of protection.  In 2 Chronicles 16:9 we discover, “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…”  In Psalms 125:2 we are encouraged by the words, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forward.”

God is our fortress, our hiding place, and our refuge and as Psalm 91 so articulately and eloquently declares, He protects us as a mother would her young.  I saw a story a few years back where a mother hen was burned in a fire, but under her wings were her chicks protected from the smoke and flames.  In WWII there is the story of a young Lieutenant that carried a Bible in His pocket.  He was shot and the bullet stopped at Psalm 91 saving his life.  “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you.”

I know from personal experience the divine protection of God.  I know it from my youth, Vietnam, my young adult life, and His protection from dangers and even cancer.  God’s Promise is to Protect Those Who Are His.  Does that mean that if you are a Child of God you cannot or will not suffer problems, danger, or even be killed in an untimely fashion?  No!  I am simply saying, that we can both expect and ask for His divine protection because we are His.

I want to address this a bit more and will do so in the next devotional but until then may the rich blessings of the LORD be yours!  

May God guide, keep and protect you as you enjoy this beautiful day in Him! 

Ephesians 5:17-18 – “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  NASB

In hopes that I have not labored too long on this discussion, I will conclude today with a few more elements involved in the process of Knowing the Will of God for our lives.  We have considered the importance and necessity of being willing to do the will of God when we discover it.  We have considered the importance of presenting our total selves to God as living sacrifices.  We have discovered that God’s Will can be known through His Word.

Now a Fourth Element in this process we need to consider is Knowing the Will of God through Circumstances or Open Doors.  Some will equate that to chance but in God, chance and luck play no role.  Every circumstance is not revelatory of the Will of God, but some are.  Open Doors and Circumstances coupled with the Word of God and the nudging of the Spirit of God may be incredibly beneficial in discovering the Will of God for the moment.

The Fifth Element in this process is Submission to the Holy Spirit.  Remember we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus identified Him as our guide into all truth.  If we do not develop a personal relationship with Him, we will not recognize His voice or His leading. That involves a total submission of our lives to God and an openness to being led by His Spirit into Truth, All Truth!

The Sixth and Final Element I will mention is we will know the Will of God when we Truly Know God.  I suggest that you examine the biblical use of the word “know.”  Remember when the angel came to Mary to announce that she would give birth to Jesus?  She said, “How can this be seeing I Know Not a man?”  The Bible says that “Adam knew his wife Eve and she conceived.”  The same meaning is used in Philippians 3:10 when Paul said, “That I might know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” 

This is speaking of becoming one with God and His Word.  To know someone, anyone you must spend time with them.  If we know God in that deep abiding relationship desired by the Father, we can and will know his will because He is eager to make it known to us.  If you are having difficulty knowing God’s will then run to the Cross and present, yourself anew to God as a Living Sacrifice in Complete Surrender. 

I ask you to remind yourself that it is more beneficial to God and His Purpose for you and me to know His will than for us to be in the dark about it.  The knowledge of God’s will produces peace, although that knowledge and that peace may not be instantaneous.  It is in our total and complete willingness to do whatever He wills that frees our hearts from the hindrances to knowing and enables us to pray more freely and effectively.  The Will of God will always be in harmony with the Word of God.  Our desire should be to know God’s will for the purpose of being the greatest asset we can to His Kingdom and Purpose on Earth. 

I suggest that you always ask, “Will what I do be spiritually beneficial?  Will it help to promote the Kingdom of God and the Cause of Christ?  Will, it better me and those I influence?  What are the long-range effects and benefits of what I plan to do?”

            Then pray, “LORD, whatever You desire, I want and am willing to do.”  I believe if you pray that from your heart, God will make His will perfectly clear to you.  Let me add one small addendum and ask, “What is it that tugs at your heart the most in life?”  I believe that as you discover that, providing it is wholesome and godly, will help reveal God’s purpose and call for you.

Have a great day in Him!